Waxers please chime in?

[Moundir]

I finally got to waxing my beast today, first time I've actually done it myself, and now realize why I pay someone a $100 bucks to detail the car Althought I enjoyed spending 4 hours babying my car, my back is now paying the price I'm looking to get an orbital buffer and was looking for recomendations. Also what wax do you guys use? I never thought I'd ever be asking this question lmao Thanx!!

 

[PETSN8K]

Porter Cable 7424 random orbit polisher.

Zaino Z5, followed by Z2. Doesn't really take very long to use Zaino and get a great, long lasting shine.

 

[NascarDave]

Moundir,
I have a Craftsman orbital polisher and use Formula 113 (formula113.com) I also use Zaino products.

Dave

 

[Moundir]

Is Zaino a polish, or a wax? Hmm Vette guys swear by it, maybe I should give it a shot As far as the buffers go, should I go cordless less power and more convience or go for the corded ones? Thanx guys.

 

[Nexus-6]

Give Zaino a shot.

Buy some Z1, Z2, some Z6 and some Tire Dressing from www.zainobros.com

Sal includes very detailed how-to's and is very easy to chat with if you have any questions. Great guy.

I've been using it like many others here for many many years...if you have any questions, you can email me or ask anyone else here and they'll help you out.

Tip of the day - when I apply Z1 and Z2, I let it dry for 24 hours. Of course the Viper nests in the garage so I'm able to do this over the weekend. Friday night late, put a coat of each on...takes about 30-40 minutes. Saturday night late, take it off and Z6...takes about an hour.

I only Z2 once a year after getting 2 initial coats down...early on I did the "Zaino every weekend!" but that got old pretty quick. 2 or 3 coats on your Viper is about all you'll need to go blind very quickly.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

"first time I've actually done it myself, and now realize why I pay someone a $100 bucks to detail the car "

I enjoy applying Zaino to my car. It gives me a chance to inspect the paint and it's so easy to use.

 

[ViperJoe]

What do you guys use???
You live under a rock? LOL
ZAINO, of course !!
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[Snake Bitten]

You need:

<font color="blue">50 of these</font>...use once then they go in the wash...don't let them touch anything but the finish on you Final Edition...

<font color="blue">One of these, get spare batteries</font>

<font color="blue">A dozen of these</font>...White = Finishing...softest foam on the planet...Use once, then it goes in the wash with the microfibers...

<font color="blue">Couple of these</font>...Takes about 10 minutes to cover the entire viper with the WEN 4" Cordless...

<font color="blue">Couple of these</font>...Use this in between each coat of Soveran...and as a quick detailer...

One hour later...results:

 

[Moundir]

Wow Looks like I'm getting a cordless, so I wont have to worry about the cord banging on the car Thanx all

 

[Jerome Sparich]

I just bought an 8" cordless random orbit polisher at BJ's for $29.99. It came with two 12v batts., charger for home, car cig. lighter adapter to charge or use when polishing, and 4 pads.

Words pretty damm good for being a "cheap toy". Very light wt. also. I only use it for quick touch-ups on my cars.

And Gerald does have to nicest paint on a Viper I have ever seen in those pics of his.

 

[Clifton Viper]

What do you use on stock Viper rims?

Mine are polished and look good but I want to keep that mirror finish.

Suggestions?

 

[Snake Bitten]

What do you use on stock Viper rims?

Mine are polished and look good but I want to keep that mirror finish.

Suggestions?

Your stocker rims are polished and clearcoated...treat them like the finish on your car...just don't use the same towels, pads, etc...wax em...try not to grind brake dust into them...use a separate California duster on them...

 

[99BLKRT/10]

I've waxed my car once by hand and had to keep whiping the sweat from my forehead! I've always heard that orbital machines leave swirl marks. Is there a certain technique to prevent swirl marks?

 

[Snake Bitten]

I've waxed my car once by hand and had to keep whiping the sweat from my forehead! I've always heard that orbital machines leave swirl marks. Is there a certain technique to prevent swirl marks?

Anything that will scratch your clear coat = SWIRL MARKS...But mainly DIRT...Dirt on the car, on the towel you wipe the car with, on the applicator you use to apply wax...Typically, swirl marks are self induced by the owner when applying and removing wax, by using dirty rags, instead of being anal about only using clean microfibers and foam applicators... Think of it, they are swirls, not a coincidence that you are making the same motion applying and removing wax...

EXAMPLE: You wiping off your front facia, and you spot a bug carcass, a stubborn one, that won't just wipe off, so you get after it with your fingernail, guess what, you just scratched your clear coat...

Orbital buffers don't leave swirl marks...This is an old wives tale...Viper owners who don't know how to use them leave swirl marks...

 

[99BLKRT/10]

Makes sense. And I sure did go out and buy new towels just to wax the car. My next investment is an Orbital Buffer!!

Thanks!

 

[Gerald Levin]

I just bought an 8" cordless random orbit polisher at BJ's for $29.99. It came with two 12v batts., charger for home, car cig. lighter adapter to charge or use when polishing, and 4 pads.

My mind is blank. Where do I find BJ's? The retailer, not the ** Saler.

 

[Viperfreak2]

HAHA Where do I find BJ's......8 mile

 

[Jerome Sparich]

I just bought an 8" cordless random orbit polisher at BJ's for $29.99. It came with two 12v batts., charger for home, car cig. lighter adapter to charge or use when polishing, and 4 pads.

My mind is blank. Where do I find BJ's? The retailer, not the ** Saler.

Not sure how far away the closest one is from you. Looks to be a trip...

http://www.bjs.com/locations/

 

[Moundir]

You can get to a Bj almost anywhere now, just becareful in some states Bjs are ilegal lmao

 

[Hot Rod]

Try this website. It has a lot of good advise.

http://www.autopia.org/forums/index.php

 

[Snake Bitten]

Try this website. It has a lot of good advise.

http://www.autopia.org/forums/index.php

Autopia is a great resource!!!

Before anyone uses a buffer on their viper, practice on your daily driver, or better yet, the wifey's car...Perfect your technique removing swirls/scratches and applying wax...I don't recommend anything bigger than a 6" for removing swirls/scratches, and I love the 4" WEN Cordless for applying polish/glaze/wax...Remember, all foam pads are NOT the same...

Bottom line, perfect your "buffing" technique on anything but your Viper!

 

[Viper99]

I get good results with first applying 3M swirl and scratch remover (for dark colored cars)applied with a Porter Cable random orbital polisher and a foam pad. I follow that with IBIZ wax also applied with a foam pad. Wax is removed with microfiber cloths. After wax removal I spray on IBIZ polish and remove with a microfiber cloth. I then buff to a high shine with a microfiber bonnet on the random orbital polisher.

 

[Snake Bitten]

I get good results with first applying 3M swirl and scratch remover (for dark colored cars)applied with a Porter Cable random orbital polisher and a foam pad. I follow that with IBIZ wax also applied with a foam pad. Wax is removed with microfiber cloths. After wax removal I spray on IBIZ polish and remove with a microfiber cloth. I then buff to a high shine with a microfiber bonnet on the random orbital polisher.

YES!!!

 

[ViperJoe]

VIPER99
Tony, whose louvers are those on the rear of your hood?
Full hood shot please?

 

[Viper99]

Tony, whose louvers are those on the rear of your hood?
Full hood shot please?

Viper Joe,
Made by MetalCrafters.
They discontinued their Viper body enhancements last year. I was lucky to get one of last pairs they produced.

 

[Viperbass]

Gerald, It looks like I finally have found someone as obsessive about the finish as I am. I too know the joys of trying to maintain a dark finish (sapphire). Great tips, sounds like you and I have been reading the same books.

 

[Toronto_ACR]

I would like to ask waxers and the good guys at Zaino if I am doing the right thing by not wahing the car. I dont drive my car in the rain so all I do is dust off the car with the car duster and then use Z6 which is then followed up with the Z2. Is there a problem with this

Thanks

 

[V10 MOJO]

always by hand, and zaino or meguiars depending upon color. dark, id do zaino. ive done both on my silver and there is no noticable differnece between the two, but on a dark color like black, wow...zaino is the one